You better watch out, you better not ask why, ’cause it’s time to get honest about this jolly old guy. Santa Claus is one of the most beloved and recognized figures in the world. Also well known are his sometimes unhealthy habits and lifestyle—like his weight. Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett has health advice for jolly old St. Nicholas so he won’t need sick pay.

1. Overweight

Symptoms: Mid-section shakes like a “bowlful of jelly”

Concerns: Heart & vascular disease, obesity

Recommendation: Santa Claus’s extra weight puts him at risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and stroke. For someone like Santa dealing with obesity, a free cardiac age screening would help him know if he is young at heart. To sign up for your screening, go to MyCardiacAge.com.

2. Bad knees & back

Cause: Slinging sacks of toys up and down chimneys, arthritis from age

3. Nose like a cherry

Concerns: Could be a sign of eczema, rosacea, wind burn, sun burn or frost bite

Recommendation: An annual skin cancer screening or a visit to the dermatologist is suggested. Check for allergies to reindeer, mistletoe and holly. Also, rosacea is often triggered by alcohol, so lay off the spiked eggnog.

4. Infectious diseases

Cause: Working in close proximity with under-the-weather elves and reindeer

Recommendation: The best stay-well winter strategy is a flu shot. Keep the stables clean and wash hands often when working with animals.

5. Diabetes

Cause: Christmas cookie diet, obesity

Recommendation: Try grabbing fresh fruit or share some carrot sticks with the reindeer instead of giving in to the Christmas Eve cravings. Getting out for regular walks with Mrs. Claus will help Santa stay away from a sedentary life that can make diabetes worse.

6. Lung cancer

7. Snoring

Cause: Restless sleep due to worry over elf productivity in the workshop

Recommendation: Take part in a sleep study to make sure snoring isn’t a result of sleep apnea.

8. Carpal tunnel syndrome

Cause: He makes lots of lists and he checks them twice

Recommendation: Dictate text with speech-recognition software on your computer or talk to Siri on your iPhone to minimalize stress on hands and wrists.

9. Sleigh & chimney safety

Concerns: Wounds from constantly bumping into the sleigh, roof-tops and chimneys

Recommendation: Chronic wounds can get worse when coupled with diabetes, circulatory problems and immobilization brought on by sitting in a sleigh for long periods. Infection control and hyperbaric oxygen therapy are some of the things that help with healing. For more information about wound care therapy, call Saint Francis-Bartlett Rehab & Sports Medicine at (901) 382-6280.

10. Psychological problems

Manifestation: Unreasonably jolly all the time

Indication: “North Polar Disorder”

Recommendation: Immediate evaluation by a mental health professional

Final tip for Santa

Many of Santa’s problems stem from his weight, and he’s certainly not the only one. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, it’s estimated that the average person gains between one and two pounds. Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett’s affiliated general practitioners, cardiologists, bariatric surgeons, vascular surgeons, internists and orthopedic surgeons are available to discuss Santa’s health and lifestyle changes for 2017. For a free physician referral, call (901) 820-7022.